SVC-to-AVC rewriter with open-loop statistal multplexer

Abstract

A method for processing a plurality of multilayer bit streams includes receiving a plurality of multilayer bit streams each having a base layer and at least one enhancement layer. One or more of the enhancement layers are extracted in whole or in part from at least one of the multilayer bit streams so that the plurality of multilayer bit streams are collectively reduced in their total bandwidth. Each of the multilayer bit streams are rewritten to a single layer bit stream. The single layer bit streams are multiplexed to form a multiplexed single layer bit stream.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for processing a plurality of multilayer bit streams, comprising:
 receiving a plurality of scalable video coding (SVC) multilayer bit streams each having a base layer and enhancement layers; 
 obtaining video service provider bit rate allocation management parameters, wherein the bit rate to be allocated to each of the multilayer bit streams is determined based at least in part on information pertaining to a channel over which a multiplexed single layer non-SVC bit stream is to be transported; 
 producing bit rate allocations for multiple simultaneous programs in a manner that tends to equalize video quality across programs to the extent that is consistent with the bit rate allocation management parameters specified by the video service provider; 
 selecting enhancement layers for each program in a manner that is consistent with the bit rate allocation and bit rate allocation parameters; 
 extracting one or more of the enhancement layers in whole or in part from at least one of the multilayer bit streams so that the plurality of multilayer bit streams are collectively reduced in their total bandwidth, and so that each program in each of the enhancement layers is provided in such a manner that is consistent with the bit rate allocation and bit rate allocation parameters; 
 rewriting each of the extracted enhancement layers to produce a single layer bit stream for each of the extracted enhancement layers; and 
 multiplexing the single layer bit streams to form the multiplexed single layer non-SVC bit stream. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the information pertaining to a channel over which the multiplexed single layer bit stream is to be transported includes a maximum number of bit streams the channel can support, a maximum bit rate the channel can support, an whether the multilayer bit streams are multicast or unicast streams. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bit rate to be allocated to each of the multilayer bit streams is determined based at least in part on a priority assigned to each of the streams. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein multilayer bit streams having a common priority are each allocated a bit rate needed to produce a common level of perceptual quality. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein in the step of obtaining video service provider bit rate allocation management parameters, the bit rate allocation management parameters include at least one of program stream priority, maximum program resolution, maximum program bit rate and maximum total bit rate that may be allocated. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of selecting enhancement layers for each program is selected particularly based on resolution and frame rate. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein bit rate adaptation is performed in accordance with an open-loop technique. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the enhancement layers represent enhanced luminance, including coverage for high-dynamic range. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the enhancement layers represent enhanced color gamut, including a wide color gamut. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the enhancement layers represent enhanced bit depth, including coverage for 10-bit and 12-bit HEVC and HEVC MAIN 10. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the enhancement layers represent enhanced virtual reality data. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the enhancement layers represent enhanced stereoscopic data, including coverage for 3D. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the enhancement layers represent an enhanced frame rate. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the SVC bitstreams comprise any combination of block-based and wavelet-based base-layer and enhance-layer coding.